Freshwater · North Coast
Trout - Bull
These notes are district-general defaults. Search your lake or stream first — special waters override these rules. Full booklet: 2026 Freshwater Guide. Catch reports: Fish data.
Species group
TROUT
Season
District general (CCR §7.00(a)) — trout / steelhead / salmon context: 1) Anadromous waters of the Klamath & Trinity systems, and those entering the ocean south of Humboldt Bay, not listed in Special Regulations: CLOSED to all fishing all year. 2) Anadromous waters tributary to Humboldt Bay and north of Humboldt Bay (except Klamath/Trinity systems and named Special Regulations waters): Fourth Saturday in May through Oct. 31. Lakes & reservoirs (unless named in Special Regulations): generally open all year under statewide inland trout rules — verify in the freshwater guide. IMPORTANT: If your lake, river, or stream is named in the Alphabetical List of Waters with Special Fishing Regulations (2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide), those special rules override this district default.
Season notes
Hatchery trout/steelhead = healed adipose fin clip (adipose absent). Unless otherwise provided, wild trout/steelhead must be released immediately.
Daily bag limit
Anadromous waters open under §7.00(a)(2): 2 hatchery trout or hatchery steelhead per day; 4 in possession. Closed to the take of salmon unless a Special Regulation says otherwise. Typical lakes/reservoirs (if not listed specially): 5 trout per day / 10 in possession — confirm statewide §5.85 and any special water listing. IMPORTANT: If your lake, river, or stream is named in the Alphabetical List of Waters with Special Fishing Regulations (2026 Freshwater Sport Fishing Guide), those special rules override this district default.
Minimum size
See district / special-water rules. Cutthroat and other species may have separate size limits on named waters.
Gear restrictions
On §7.00(a)(2) anadromous waters: only artificial lures with barbless hooks. Always check Special Regulations and low-flow closures for named waters.
Identification
Like other species of char, the fins of a bull trout have white leading edges. Its head and mouth are unusually large for salmonids, giving it its name. Bull trout have been recorded measuring up to 103 cm (41 in) in length and weighing 14.5 kg (32 lb). Bull trout may be either migratory, moving throughout large river systems, lakes, and the ocean, or they may be resident, remaining in the same stream their entire lives. Migratory bull trout are typically much larger than resident bull trout, which rarely exceed 2 kg (4.4 lb).